Amplified Harmonica Quickstart Guide

Hello, I'm Tomlin from Tomlin Harmonica School and today I'm going to talk you through what you need to get started playing amplified harmonica to get that dirty blues tone that we all love. I’ll be showing you what kind of amplifier and microphone you will need.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:07 How to Get Dirty Blues Tone by Playing Amplified Harmonica
0:36 Different Ways to Achieve the Same Effect
0:43 Recommended Amplifier, Microphone, and Cable
2:10 How to Plug Everything In
2:25 Setting the Controls
6:13 Acoustic Technique and Cupping
8:43 Learn More About Amplified Playing Through my New Amplified Harmonica Course
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[@TomlinHarmonica]

✏ Get your FREE harmonica tab PDF and audio clips here 👉 foxly.link/SWNFYV

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to ‘Subscribe’ and turn on notifications to never miss another Harmonica video. :-)

[@franks.2527]

Tomlin, thank you for this mega cool Video! Greeting from Germany NRW. Frank ✌

[@justinjardim2436]

Most concise and informative video on this subject I've seen. I've spent hundreds of £'s experimenting, this video explains it all in 9 minutes.

[@webingerphoto49]

Thank you Tomlin…for the placement of the microphone! Wow what a difference!

[@graemehodder441]

Great to back with you Tomlin, after a long break, due moving house and family duties. Thank you for the great lesson and great to be back harping with you mate! Stay safe and catch up soon!👍

[@paulgraberandshaolinarts604]

I have just begun to take my harmonica playing seriously so I can be a more versatile part of the band I sing for. I really like your lessons and teaching style. I’ve learned a lot very quickly. Thanks man!

[@Loc_87cdp]

Thanks for the recommendations!!! Great!!

[@randahlahamanandacrawford6421]

Your vids are always great! Thanks for sharing your reading recommendations on this one.

[@Metalcomedienne]

Thank you so much. ❤

[@charlieburns1385]

Awesome thanks

[@CarloTizianoGrassini]

Thanks. it is really very well explained! Congratulations.

[@CPerreault]

Great info, thanks Tomlin!

[@christiangerber2482]

Absolutly great video! thx so much for sharing this content!!! Helps me alot to improve my harp skills!

[@CarloTizianoGrassini]

Bravo!!

[@Vato_Rudo]

I am totally blind with no light perception and you gave the best discription how to cup and hold the microphone. Thank you I really appreciate it

[@robertleto6692]

Thank you for the info 👍🏻

[@loasidasortiz9716]

Thk u bro great information ur the best.

[@MTkblifter]

excellent tutorial on mic placement. Thanks!

[@samuelsukenik5008]

Hello Tomlin, great video, thanks!

[@tryout8469]

Hi Tomlin, Thanx again, learned some new things about gain and tone. I bought a Spark Grid Amp six months ago, actually intended for guitarists but a device with endless possibilities via the accompanying App. I recently asked the developers to add some specific harmonica amplifiers to the APP. In any case, a note has been made of that, whether it will also happen I do not know yet. The Spark Grid is not extremely expensive, about 250 US$ currently. I practice it regularly and am amazed by all possible amplifiers and pedal effects that are in the App, that you can apply to your sound. In addition, you can use existing backing tracks in the App, having them made personal, the APP has a metronome and much more. Maybe the device is also something for you Tomlin as a guitarist and harmonica player. And I think, given your large number of followers, Positive Grid is happy to make one available to you. I'm happy with it in any case. It has 40 W power so it's sound is more than big enough for practicing, but also for small performances , solo or in a band.

[@quailstudios]

Hello Tomlin, small amps sound great. Cheers!

[@ronnieblanchet4072]

Great lesson Tomlin. God bless you and you and your family* -ronnie

[@robertchartrand837]

Once again Tomlin, many thanks. Robert Canada

[@joshsvoss]

7:29 nice Speedmaster!

[@SHERIFF8311]

great videos man, greetings from Mallorca ;)

[@ivanopaolocci564]

Hi Tomlin.The explanation on this subject couldn't be any better. Nothing wich matters is missing.

[@k.rock1016]

Thanks for the info Tomlin ! Simple things huh ?

[@javierf55]

I come from the guitar world, so what I did was to use my Shure SM58 plus a Shure A85F amplifier to switch from balanced low impedance to unbalanced high impedance so it goes flawlessly into a Fender Hotrod Deluxe amp. Works perfect.

[@edmorgan6598]

I have never seen any comments on foam harmonica microphone covers, but my Green Bullet is a little large do so some things with because it taxes the limitations of hand size. I got a large bag of cheap foam microphone covers from Amazon, apparently made large enough to fit any standard microphone, intending to use them to help encourage singers to keep their mouths near the microphone. They stretch tightly over the very large head of the Green Bullet (and last for years). This enables you to rest, in fact slightly push, the harmonica against the foam while playing, and this helps a lot in putting a hand seal around the whole thing, preventing the fumbling associated with the large microphone, and removing the disaster of metal-to-metal contact or dropping the whole caboodle. Surprisingly, the foam is porous enough to not impede sound or air flow in any way I can notice. Still, I'd opt for a smaller microphone next time, but might still install the foam.

[@jameslewis9343]

Your Amp sounds really cool 😎. I still use the Fender Pro Junior and the Shure "Green Bullet" mic, but I'm going to pick up a spare, just in case. Yours looks like a good one to have!

[@swampydavis8596]

Nice

[@joecrumb1798]

Great videography Tomlin. I’m still on board mate.

[@cltbluesman]

Great video. Answered one question that has troubled me. Whether or not to jam the mic tight against the harp! Thank you for a fine video!

[@AmplifiedBluesHarmonica]

Leave about two fingers distance between harp and microphone and practice an air-tight cupping with your hands… very important to getting a full beefy tone.

[@RaulCastrogeneris]

Thank you Tomlin, it really makes a difference when applying your instructions. Please recommend an amp that is not expensive and not vintage and the "harp specialized ones". Do you think a Fender accoustasonic 40 would be a good starting point? Thanks

[@TheoneStanband]

You remind me of Edison, the reporter from max headroom. I remember I had the idea of using an amplifier to play harmonica back as a teenager and I shared the idea with my brother and he thought I was crazy.

[@brianyansen]

Hi Tomlin. Another great harp lesson, discussing a very misunderstood topic. You've made it so easy to understand. One question regarding your little ZT Lunchbox amp; what size is the amp, is it 35w, 100w or 200w? Thanks.

[@bretthowser6777]

Thanks for the great lesson Tomlin. BTW - is that watch you’re wearing a Speedmaster?

[@gerryholt4358]

Love your vids Tomlin, very informative. I note that the mic cable has what looks like a TRS plug on the amp end. I fear that this will not be compatible with some amps - those wired for guitar or TS plugs. A friend had this experience with a Hohner mic which "worked" with her Cube but not with several other amps we tried. A new cable - XLR to TS, worked every where and made an amazing improvement to her Cube tone.

[@mojoefelix]

I see no evidence in the video that it is a TRS. Looks like a ubiquitous XLR to TS cable to me.

[@massuli6850]

Usefull video!! What do you think about buying a some sort of E53 Tweedluxe 12W tube combo amp for harmonica

[@johnshamburg1534]

Great video, Tomlin. I use a Pignose Hog 20 amp. Have you had any experience with that brand?

[@CaiqueSantiago]

I would like to see you to review the beyerdynamic DG i51 for the Harmonica. I am looking for a clean mic four different genres and so I can apply some effects. I wonder how does it feel in terms of weight, cupping, feedback.

[@juanporcampo559]

My amp has a built-in reverb. which I have played with a little and kind of like. Any thoughts on using a little reverb?

[@safetydave720]

I want to play like Big Walter Horton. What key should I use?

[@javierignaciomarrau5839]

Hello. Which mic can suggest me between Hohner Blaster B52 or Bulletini? Which one has better sound? Thank you

[@vidyaranyabellur]

Hi mate! Thoroughly enjoyed your explanation 👍 Can you tell me what it's going to cost approximately. I live in India and I have a couple of friends in England who r due to visit India early next month. Once again great explanation 👌 and many thanks for the same

[@robsonmoura1000]

Hey Tomlin What is your OPINION about “Boss DR01s Rhythm Partner”? Can it be a good “partner” for harmonica’s players as well?

[@mojoefelix]

What about reverb setting on the amp??

[@FDRGREG]

Hi Tom. Do you try to set up your amp location in any particular place vs. where you are standing? I find that if I’m positioned behind the amp the feedback potential is reduced. And the further my distance from the amp also reduced but in order to hear what I’m playing out of the amp it is a compromise. Any thoughts on that when you set up to play live?

[@PoulHansenDK]

Is there any reason why you couldnn't use f.x. a SM58 mkie?

[@kokorinne]

Hi tomlin what's a name of the ampli on the vidéo ? Thanks

[@Chuckplaysblues]

Great video, Tomlin! How’s about a video on how to sound good on Zoom, both acoustically and amplified? I am a member of an international music club who meet each week on Zoom.

[@gene.mamonchikov]

With 1 mic you can conect it through some guitar multieffects pedal to your sound card and switch settings on this pedal - to play with amp emulated and play and talk without. If you have mic to talk and mic to play - mic to play through pedal to mixer and mic to talk to mixer. And mixer to sound card. And all this sound - to zoom. You can control channels on your mixer.

[@alleycat-145]

Tomlin. Great intro to the topic. Would be helpful to read/hear your explanations, and techniques , and important issues on how to adjust volume when both amplifier and microphone have volume controls. Which one should be turned up and down ? Or on/off ? Should they both be on a little ?

[@juanporcampo559]

Good question

[@TomlinHarmonica]

I would have the volume fully up on the microphone then dial in your amp for your lead sound. If you want to turn down when playing accompaniment you can then turn the mic down.

[@alleycat-145]

@@TomlinHarmonica . Thank you ! very much for your reply to the question. That situation has always confused me.😀 👌.

[@vidnovakkralj9827]

The ZT amp is which model?

[@robertorodrigues8894]

Hi Tomlin. If I use a microphone without being a bullet it would change something

[@imranhack9024]

Hi Tomlin. What is the brand of that Amplifier? Thanks for the lesson. Very impressive

[@PoulHansenDK]

ZT

[@DrGrrrrr]

Good basic equipment advice Tomlin but I feel you should clarify one potential issue that beginners may have regarding the cable. I had been thinking of trying the Hohnor HB52 for some time as it is just a little larger than the Bulletini and the cable connection is angled slightly more out of the way. I already had a cable with XLR to jack connection. When my mic arrived I plugged it in and it didn't work. Checked the cable with another mic, which was fine, so send the mic back for a replacement. Plugged in the second mic and it didn't work. I then noticed that my cable was an un-balanced cable. I didn't have a suitable balanced cable so used another XLR cable and an impedance convertor, with a balanced jack, as an adaptor. It worked fine. Had I not spotted that detail I would have been very confused! So perhaps you should point that out in your video or, better still, make another one explaining about impedance and the difference in wiring in some countries where the hot pin is a different standard. Also could you be more precise with which model ZT amp you have. The small range differs hugely in price. Thanks.

[@mamertomangle]

Great..more gear !

[@petermclaren2665]

I live in an apartment & can't make much noise. What about headphones?

[@DiatonicDetective]

You are under arrest....

[@steverehrman6611]

Ok I'm new 1098.00 us for a the fender amp. No.

[@claudjin4807]

,,,💚,,,

[@mamertomangle]

Still cheaper than guitar bass or drums. Easy transport. .

[@anthonyeusebius5834]

Everytime I would go to jam at the bar I would have to fight with them not to be put on the monitor. It sounded horrible tinny like a toy most other musicians have no understanding of these things it's not just playing into a microphone.

[@brandonleroux6059]

okay but your tone is not just your amp and your mic as you are clearly playing through pedals. So I am dying to know how you get good tone out of just an amp and just a mic.

[@williamjburns4157]

ABSOLUTE WORST INPUT JACK TO AMP

[@williamjburns4157]

Error, PREVIOUS MESSAGE INPUT TO MIC, WORST